Childhood memories can spark laughter within a family, especially if it involves extended family visiting you in your host country. Kathryn Larson, a missionary kid, shares when her grandmother first visited them in Africa.
In third grade, my grandmother traveled to Cote d’Ivoire to visit us. She was very beautiful and classy. It was the early 70’s. My grandmother wore a wool suit and high heels and had her cosmetic bag and a small suitcase. Due to business in the capital, my parent sent me along with my younger sister, who was in the first grade, to accompany my grandmother on the night train. My two youngest sisters went with my parents.
Sleeping cars are so exciting. It was just the three of us with Grandmother’s cosmetic bag, her small suitcase, and a large thermos of water to share. We arrived in Ferkessedougou. But keep in mind that Cote d’Ivoire is right on the equator. Somehow, my grandmother didn’t realize how hot it would be. We exited the station to find the only taxi in town being taken by someone else. I told my grandmother that we could walk there.
I was young and had no idea how far 8 km was. My sister and I were accustomed to walking long distances. My younger sister carried the suitcase. Grandmother carried her cosmetic bag. I led our group, carrying the thermos balanced on my head. Every so often, Grandmother would ask how much further to the house. I would answer answered, “Just over the next hill or around the corner.” I didn’t realize how tough it would be on her.
When we finally reached the house, my grandmother went straight inside. She removed all her clothes except her underclothes and sat before a fan. She walked all that way in her high heels. I had no clue how hard it would be on her. It was just another walk for me.
My parents showed up about an hour later. They were horrified and asked me why we didn’t get the taxi. In retrospect, it was a terrible idea. But to the third grade girl who grew up walking everywhere it seemed to make perfect sense. We laugh about it now. I was young and innocent and kind of clueless. Looking back I see how brave it was of my grandmother to travel to Africa on her own.
It was certainly a memorable…for her and for me.
Kathryn Larson is an MK from Cote d’Ivoire. After graduating from Wheaton College, she and her husband traveled to and worked in more than 55 countries doing relief work and microenterprise work in post-conflict situations.
